Type-writing machine.



J. c. McLAUGHLIN. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. I910.

Patented Mar.17, 1914.

iinrrnn srarns ra rnnr onrien.

JOHN C. McLAUGI-ILIN, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIG-NOR TOUNDERWOOID TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF

NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1'7, 1914.

To all whom it may) concern:

Be it known that I, J onN C. hICLAUGHLIN, a citizen of the UnitedStates. residing in Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State ofNew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-VVriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved mechanism for effecting andcontrolling the line-spacing movements of the platen roll of atypewriting machine. Mechanism of this character ordinarily comprises aratchet wheel, which is fast to the platen shaft, and which is turnedone or more steps by means of a pawl operated from a suitable device onthe carriage frame. This mechanism has heretofore, however, beendefective in certain respects. The parts have been so constructed as topermit of wear of the teeth of the ratchet and of the pawl, due to therubbing of one on the other. The weight of the platen is oftenconsiderable, and the platen may acquire much momentum in the spacingoperation. It'results in practice that after the ratchet wheel and pawlare somewhat worn, they fail to grip reliably, and the platen is liableto be overthrown.

An objectof the present invention is to provide a line-spacing mechanismin which wear of the spacing pawl tn the teeth of the ratchet wheel isimpossible.

It is also an object of the invention to eliminate and render impossibleany relative or differential movement of the ratchet wheel and spacingpaw-l while the same are in engagement; and the platen is moving.Furthermore I provide an effective means for positively locking thespacing pawl to the ratchet wheel to prevent the pawl from being thrownaway from the wheel after engagement therewith, either by reason of themomentum of the platen or for any other cause.

Another object of the invention in certain of its forms is to soconstruct the mechanism that wear of the same in the platen frame isalso prevented.

In the embodiment of theinvention hereiuaflcr described, the carrier forthe linespacing pawl is mounted to turn around the -1s a view in rearelevation platen shaft as a pivot so that. after the pawl is locked tothe ratchet wheel, the pawl carrier may turn as a unit with the wheel,instead of, as heretofore, moving at a tangent thereto or in some otherdirection. There can therefore be no action on the part of the pawlcarrier tending to throw the pawl from the ratchet wheel or to rub thepawl on the turning on the platen shaft as engaging the pawl with awedge action, tending always to force the pawl more tightly against theratchet wheel, and locking the same to the ratchet wheel in such mannerthat after the same have once engaged, they cannot be disengaged untilthe platen has been properly rotated or spaced.

Other object and features of the invention will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of theassembled linespacing mechanism. Fig. 2 is a detail view showing thespace regulating device in cooperative relation to the line-spacingpawl. Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation of the as sem'bled line-spacingmechanism in normal position. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 exceptthat the parts are in the positions assumed at the time the spacing pawlengages the ratchet whcel. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with theline-spacing pawl at the end of its throw. Fig. 6 is a detail viewshowing the spacing pawl and space regulator in one position of thesame. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the guide and supporting memberfor the plunger. Fig. 8 partly cross sectional, of the line-spacingmechanism. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the spacing pawl and pawlcarrier. Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the device which is engaged bythe plunger to operate the pawl carrier. Fig. 11 1s a perspective viewof the plunger which operates the pawl carrier. Fig. 12 is a perspectiveview of the space regulator.

The platen 1 on the laten shaft 2 is mounted to be rotated in t e platenframe 3 by means of hand wheel 4 or line-spacing ratchet wheel 5, bothfast to the platen shaft. The line-spacing movement of the ratchet as apivot, and

(5'0 teeth, of the wheel by differential movement of the two. The devicefor actuating the pawl and pawl carrier is also hereinafter shown aswheel with the platen is efl'ected from a hand lever 6 pivoted at 7 tothe platen frame. The lever 6 is shown as a bell crank lever one arm 8of which engages the end 9 of. a plunger or slide 10, connected by meansof a link 11 with an arm 12, which is loosely mounted on the platenshaft 2 to rotate or swing thereon, and which when turned by means ofthe link 11, carries with it the pawl 13 for effecting the line-spacingmovement pf the ratchet wheel- The pawl 13 is pivoted at 14 to a carrierin the form of an idle arm or plate 15 also loosely mounted on theplaten shaft to swing around the same. The swinging pawl carrier 15 liesbetween the arm 12 and the ratchet wheel, but the swing arm 12, as shownin Fig. 8, is bent at its outer end to extend over the plate 15 and overthe pawl, and to engageby means of a pin 16 with the link 11 on theslide 10, to be driven thereby. In order that the pawl 13 maybe thrownby the arm 12, there is provided a shoulder 17 on the pawl against whichthe offset or bent portion of the arm 12 bears when the slide 10 isoperated by the lever 6. The slide or plunger 10 works within a cylinderor housing 19 fixed to the platen frame 3. It does not bear directly onthe'platen frame and cannot wear the latter. A compression returningspring 20 coiled within the cylinder 19 bears against the inner end ofthe plunger 10 to hold the same in its outer or forward normal position.The normal position of the plunger 10 and consequently of the link 11,arm 12, and other attached parts is preferably determined by a suitablestop in the form of a screw 21 (see Fig. 11) carried by the plunger andmoving within a slot 22 in aguide-way or extension 23 of the housing 19,and engaging the forward end of the slot 22. The screw 21 alsopreferably serves as a guide for the plunger. In order that the returnmovement of the plunger may be transmitted through the link 11 and thearm 12 to the pawl and pawl carrying member 15, there is on the latter ashoulder 24, with which-shoulder the bent or offset portion of the arm12 engages, forcing back the pawl, and the latter, acting directlyagainst its pivot pin 14, causes the pawl carrying member 15 to turnThese parts are the spring 20.

In the normal position of the parts (see Figs. 1 and 3) the tooth 25 ofthe pawl 13 does not engage the ratchet wheel, nor does it necessarilyengage it immediately upon operation of the hand lever 6. According tothe amount it is desired to space the platen, the pawl 13 makes agreater or less portion of its stroke with the arm 12 before it istherefore all returned by allowed to engage the ratchet wheel to comi Ifthe platen 1 spring pawl or detent device 43 for holding plcte itsstroke with the latter.

' body back to its normal position.

is to be given a considerable spacing movement the pawl is permitted toengage the ratchet wheel early in its-stroke, whereas 1f the platen isto be spaced buta slight amount, the pawl is permitted to engage theratchet'wheel only when near the end of its stroke.

For holding the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel as long asmay e desired and for regulating the throw of the ratchet wheel with thepawl, there is mount ed on the platen frame a bar or late 26, folded atone end, to have a part 27, on the top of which a nose 28, offset fromthe main of the pawl 13, is adapted to ride. So long as the nose 28 ofthe pawl, during the throw of the latter, rides on the part 27, the pawlis held elevated in such a position that pawl-tooth 25 cannot engage theratchet wheel. When, however, the pawl has been thrown far enough tocause the offset nose 28 to ride 011' of the end 29 of the plate 26, thepawl 13 is free to be thrown by spring 30 into engagement with theratchet wheel. Thereafter and during the rest of the stroke of the pawlthe ratchet wheel and platen are moved by the pawl. A stop 31 byengagement with the end 32 of thepawl determines the stroke .in'allinstances. This step is so shaped as to cam or jam the pawl against thewheel in stopping the parts, so as the more effectively to preventoverthrow. In order that the stroke of the pawl with the ratchet wheelmay be regulated, the member 26 is adjustable on the platen frame in thedirection of the stroke of the pawl. It has a slot 33 at its rear end bymeans of which it engages and is supported at that end by a pin 34 onthe platen frame, It may rest upon and'be also supported by a bracketarm 35 on the platen frame. The slot 33 permits of adjustment of theplate 26 on its supports,

and this adjustment is effected by means of a lever 36 loosely mountedon the platen shaft, or other suitable support, and carrying a fingerpiece 37 by which it is moved. The plate 26 (see Fig. 2) carries a pin38 engaging a slot 39 in the lever 36. When, therefore, the lever 36 isrocked, the plate 26 is moved back and forth on its supports. In theface of the plate or bar 26 are three recesses 40, the positions ofwhich correspond to three adjusted positions of the plate 26. A springmember 41, held against rotation on the pin'3 1, carries a detent 42 forengaging one or another of the recesses 40, according to the adjustedposition of the bar 26, for holding the bar against displacement'aftorthe same has been adjusted. The end walls of the slot 33 by engagementwith the pin 34, serve as stops to determine the two extreme positionsof the bar 26 and lever 36.

Also mounted on the pin 34 is the usual the ratchet wheel and platenagainst displacement. The member 43 is shown as carrying at its end aroller 44 which is adapted to be held. by the spring 45 between theteeth of the ratchet wheel with sutlicient force to hold the latteragainst displacement, but not in such a manner as to prevent rotation ofthe ratchet wheel by the pawl 13.

According to the adjusted position of the plate 26, the pawl 13 sooneror later is forced, by the arm 12, off of the plate 26 and intoengagement with the ratchet wheel. Up to this time the engagement of thepawl 13 with the arm 12 has been by means of theshoulder 17 on the pawl.When, however, the pawl drops into engagement with the ratchet wheel,the shoulder 17 falls below the bent portion of the arm 12 and can nolonger be engaged by the latter. Further movement of the arm 12 thenbrings the same into engagement with a wed 'e surface 46, (see Fig. 4)on the pawl. T e surface 46 is so shaped that the arm 12 in engaging thesame not only continues the forward movement or throw of the pawl butexerts a downward pressure on the pawl which holds the tooth 25 in closeengagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel and so holds the pawluntil the end of the stroke has been determined by engagement of thepawl with the stop 31, and the arm 12 given a return movement. N omatter therefore what may be the weight or momentum of the platen andattached parts, the pawl cannot be thrown out of engagement with theratchet wheel and the latter thereby permitted. to be overthrown.

In operation, the space regulator is first set by means of the fingerpiece 37 in either one of its three positions, and is thereafter held inplace by the detent 41. In spacing for each line, the lever 6 is swungto the right, and, bearing on the plunger 10, forces the same inwardagainst the action ofcoil spring 20. The link 11, being attached to theplunger, moves with the latter, and, being connected by pin 16 to rotarymember or arm 12, swings the latter. The arm 12 engaging the shoulder 17on the pawl 13 takes the latter with it in its movement, and the pawldrags the idle pawl-carrier 15 in the same direction. At first the pawlis riding on the regulator plate 26 but presently the tooth 28 of thepawl drops off of the end 29 of this plate, and the tooth 25 of the pawlthen engages the ratchet wheel, the shoulder 17 on the pawl at this timedropping below the cross arm of the actuating member 12. The arm 12continuing to move. engages the wedge surface 46 on the pawl and, whileforcing the pawl into close engagement with the ratchet wheel, carriesthe pawl and wheel onward until the pawl comes to the stop 31, when thespacing movement is complete and the parts are arrested. The lever 6being now released, the spring 20 throws back the plunger 10 and with itthe link 11 and arm 12. The latter by engagement with the shoulder 2t onthe pawl carrier 15 forces back the same with spacing pawl. Before thearm '12 been sufliciently withdrawn from the pawl to clear the wedge soas topermit the pawl to rise and ride. freely over the teeth of theratchet. When the return movement of the awl carrier has )ring the pawlto the end 29 of the regulator plate, the pawl rides up onto this plateand rides along the same during the remainder of the return movement.The end 29 of the plate 26 is beveled. and the nose 28 of the pawl is soshaped, that the pawl is guided gently onto the plate. When the screw21. on the plunger 10 reaches the forward end of the slot 22, the returnmovement of all the parts is arrested.

It will be noted that the idle carrier 15 on which the pawl 13 ismounted turns around the platen shaft as a pivot. The pawl supportingpin 14 therefore always turns on the same pivot as the ratchet wheel andcannot be moved awayfrom the latter. The arm 12 which actuates the pawlalso turns on the same pivot as the ratchet wheel. \Vhen therefore thearm 12 by engagement with the wedge 46 on the pawl moves the latter withthe ratchet wheel, these parts are all turning around a common axis. Thedirection and rate of rotation of the pawl actuating memcan engage theshoulder 24, it has progressed far enough to her is the same as that ofthe ratchet wheel so that there is no force or differential movement ofparts tending to throw the pawl off of the ratchet wheel. The two are inconstant and immovable contact, and no wearing of one or the other cantake place. By reason of the wedge 46 the pawl is always pressed againstthe ratchet wheel, and positively locks the latter, so that overthrow isimpossible.

The structure shown may be variously modified within the scope of theinvention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric w th theratchet wheel. a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier. means forforcing the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, and meansmounted on the pivot of the ratchet wheel for turning the pawl carrieraround its pivot with the pawl.

2. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric with theratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier, means forforcin the pawl into engagement with the ratchet l wheel, and meansmounted on the pivot of wheel .carrier, a pawl the ratchet wheel andengaging the pawl to move the pawl and with it the pawl carrier andratchet wheel around the pivot of the latter. 3. A line-spacingmechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carriermounted to rotate on a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel, a pawlpivotally mounted on the carrier and shaped to form a wedge, and meansforengaging the wedge to move the pawl with the ratchet wheel whileforcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel. I I

4. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric. with theratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on the carrier and formed with awedge surface, and an actuating device engaging the pawl to give thepawl a preliminary movement independent of the ratchet wheel andthereafter engaging the wedge surface on the pawl to move the pawl withthe ratchet ratchet wheel.

'5. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a pawl pivotally mounted thereon and formed with a wedge surface,and an actuating device engaging the'pawl a preliminary movementindependent of the ratchet wheel and thereafter engaging the wedgesurface on the pawl to move the pawl withthe ratchet wheel while forcingthe pawl against the ratchet wheel. 6. A line-spacing mechanism,comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carrler mounted torotate on a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel, a pawl plvotallymounted on said carrier, an actuating device engaging the pawl to givethe pawl a prelim nary movement independent of the ratchet wheel,

means for throwing the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, anda wedge on the pawl with which the actuating device thereafter engagesto complete the movement of thepawl with the ratchet wheel while forcingthe pawl against the ratchet wheel.

7 A lineespacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a carri'er mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric withtheratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier, an actuatingdevice pawl a preliminai'y movement independent of the ratchet wheel, aspace-regulating device for holding the pawlout of engagement with theratchet wheel during such preliminary movement, means for throwing thepawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, and a wedge on devicethereafter engages to complete the movement of the pawl with the ratchetwheel while forcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel.

while forcing the pawl against the the pawl to give the pawl with whichthe actuating 8. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination ofa ratchet wheel, a pawl and pawl carrier, and means mounted on a pivotconcentric with the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to the pawl forengaging and moving the pawl, the pawl being movable into engagementwith the ratchet wheel and movable by said means while in engagementwith the ratchet wheel.

9. A linespacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, 'a pawl and pawl carrier, and means mounted on a pivot concentricwith and movable relatively to the pawl for engaging the pawl with awedge-like action to move the pawl with the ratchet wheel while forcingthe pawl against the ratchet wheel.

10. Aline-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a p1vot concentric with theratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier, means forforcing the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, and meansmounted on the pivot of the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to thepawlfor engaging the pawl to move the awl and with it the pawl carrierand ratchet wheel around the pivot of the latter.

11. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of aratchetwheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric with theratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier, means for.forcing, the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, aawl'actuating' device mounted on the pivot of the ratchet wheel andmovable relatively to the pawl for engaging the pawl to move the pawlandwith it the pawl carrier and ratchet wheel around the pivot of thelatter, and means whereby said pawl actuating device engagesthe pawlcarrier to return the same to normal position.

12. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a pawl and pawl carrier, apawl actuating device mounted on apivot concentric with the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to thepawl for engaging and moving the pawl to move theratchet wheel, and aslide for operating said pawl actuating device.

13, A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a pawl and pawl carrier, a pawl actuating device mounted on .apivot concentric with the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to thepawl for engaging and moving the pawl to move the ratchet wheel, aslide, and a link connectingthe slide to thepawl actuating device foroperating the latter.

14. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a pawl and pawl carrier, a pawl actuating'device mounted on apivot concentric with the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to thepawl for engaging and moving the pawl to the ratchet wheel move theratchet wheel, a slide for operating said pawl actuating device, and acomprcssion spring bearing against the slide to return the same with thepawl actuating device to normal position.

15. A line-spacing mechanism for typewriting machines, comprising thecombination of a ratchet wheel on the platen shaft, a spacing pawlmounted to swing bodily about the pivot of the ratchet wheel forengaging and moving the ratchet wheel, a casing attached to the platenframe, a plunger mounted to have movement in said casing, a spring insaid casing bearing against the end of the plunger to return the same tonormal position, the casing having an extension with a slot therein, apin on the plunger engaging said slot whereby the plunger is held inposition and guided, and means for operating the spacing pawl from theplunger.

16. A line-spacing mechanism for typewriting machines, comprising incombination, a ratchet wheel on the platen shaft, a spacing pawl forengaging and moving the ratchet wheel, a space regulating device movablein guides on the platen frame and having a surface on which the spacingpawl adapted to ride and be supported out of engagement with the ratchetwheel, and a lever pivoted on the platen shaft and having pin and slotengagement with the space regulator to adjust the position of the same.

17. A line-spacing mechanism for typewriting machines, comprising incombination, a ratchet wheel on the platen shaft, a spacing pawl mountedto swing bodily about the pivot of the ratchet wheel for engaging andmoving the ratchet wheel, a space regulating device movable in guldesonthe platen frame and being in the form of a plate folded over at itsforward end to form a short surface on which the spacing pawl is adaptedto ride.

18. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric with theratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier and formed withawedge surface, means for engaging the wedge surface to move the pawlwith the ratchet wheel while forcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel,and a stop engaged by the pawl to arrest the movement of the parts.

19. A line spacing mechanism comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a pawl driving said ratchet wheel, a device traveling with saidpawl and cammin it in engagement with said ratchet w eel as it moveswith it, and a stop comprising a cam to force said pawl against saidratchet wheel as it arrests said pawl.

20. A line spacing mechanism comprising the combination of a ratchetwheel, a carrier loosely mounted to swing concentrically with theratchet wheel, a pawl on the carrier to engage the ratchet wheel, adriver forcing said pawl against said ratchet Wheel, and a stop adjacentsaid ratchet wheel comprising a cam face between which face and ratchetwheel said pawl is jammed at the limit of its throw.

21. A line spacing mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel, a carrierloosely mounted to swing concentrically with the ratchet wheel, a pawlon the carrier'to engage the ratchet wheel, a loosely mounted arm ordevice to force said pawl against said ratchet wheel, a

an actuating member, means on the spacing pawl to be engaged by saidmember for movmg the pawl with the carrier, and means on the carrier tobeengaged by said member for returning the carrier with the spacingpawl.

23. In a line-spacing mechanism, the combination of a ratchet. wheel, apawl carrier mounted loosely on the pivot of the ratchet wheel, aspacing pawl pivoted to the carrier, an actuating device, means on thespacing pawl to be engaged by said device for moving the pawl with thecarrier, and means on the carrier to be engaged by said device forreturning the carrier with the spacing pawl, said device beinginterposed between said means on the pawl and said means onthe carrier,for effecting both of said movements.

24. In a line-spacing mechanism, the combination of a ratchet wheel, apawl carrier mounted loosely on the pivot of the ratchet wheel, aspacing pawl pivoted to the carrier, an actuating device, means in theform of a wedge on the spacing pawl to be engaged by said device formoving the pawl with the carrier, means on the carrier to be engaged bysaid device for returning the carrier with the spacing pawl, said devicebeing interposed between said wedge and said means on the carrier foreffecting both of said movements, said interposed actuating devicehaving movement between the wedge on the pawl and its point of contactwith the pawl carrier, whereby it may clear the wedge be fore engagingthe carrier, to permit the pawl to ride over the teeth of the ratchetwheel.

25. In a line-spacing mechanism, the combination of a ratchet wheel, amember loosely mounted on the axle of said wheel, a pawl carried by saidmember, a driving device, a handle to operate said device, an arm looseon the said axle and having an extension embracing and adapted to drivesaid member and pawl, and a link connecting said extennormal position,and a member movable rel- 10 sion to the said driving device. atively tothe spacing pawl and having a 26. A line-spacing mechanism fortypecamming or wedging action thereon for Writing machines, comprisingthe combinaforcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel.

5 tion of a ratchet wheel on the platen shaft, a

spacing pawl for engaging and moving the JOHN MGLAUGHLIN' ratchet wheel,a casing on the platen frame, Witnesses: a plunger mounted to havemovement in said K. FRANKFORT,

casing, a spring to return the plunger to p B. GOLDBERG.

